"Dad, that guy last time was at our place again!"

Last time? Again?

On my way home, my son's voice hit me hard. I couldn't believe my wife would betray me, but what does a nearly five-year-old kid know about lying?

Looking back, she's been all dolled up every day, yet hasn't come near me for a while. I've been slammed at work, so I didn't think much of it.

Now, it's starting to look fishy.

When I got home, Lily was lounging on the couch binge-watching her shows. Our son was right there, lost in his toys. The kitchen was spotless — no sign of dinner.

"Look who's home!"

Lily, all cozy on the couch, chimed in softly, "I'm beat today. How about we grab a bite out?"

Beat? Or just beat from sneaking around? Before, her flirty voice would've made me swoon, but now... it just turns my stomach.

I played it cool, dropped a casual "Alright, I'll just change," and headed for the bedroom.

The room was pristine, even the floors were gleaming, yet I found a clue in the bathroom trash — a condom wrapper.

Rage flared up inside me.

Lily, I've given you everything, never shorted you, and this is how you repay me?

Fire in my eyes, I was about to bust out and confront her, but as I touched the door, I cooled off.

Knowing Lily, unless caught in the act, she'd deny everything. Arguing is useless and would only scare our son.

I had to keep my cool and gather solid evidence fast.

The next day, instead of heading to work, I parked at a supermarket and walked back to our place, straight to the security office.

I claimed I lost something in the hallway. The attendant was all over it, eager to help with the tapes. But airing dirty laundry isn't my style, so I made an excuse to get him out.

Alone, I kept my composure and pulled up the recent footage.

It didn't take long. I homed in on yesterday's tape. A man at my door—and seeing his face struck me like lightning.

Alex Mitchell!

My childhood friend, my closest pal. There he was, smiling as he knocked on my door... and didn't leave for over an hour.

Truth be told, I had my suspicions about everyone — the neighbors, her ex, and even her colleagues. But Alex? Never saw it coming.

As I stepped out into the glaring sun, my heart felt like it dropped into a frozen abyss.

I am a guy with a fortune, seen as a life winner, but here I am, caught up in this mess.

With resolve, I headed home.

Barely had I taken a few steps when my phone rang. It was my son's kindergarten teacher, frantic, "Mr. Johnson, it's urgent. Your son collapsed. We've rushed him to the hospital, and we can't reach his mom..."

Panic gripped me; confronting Lily was the last thing on my mind. I dashed to the hospital.

With the betrayal already burning, I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to my son.

At the hospital, the doctor handed me some papers, "Your son has congenital anemia. A bone marrow transplant is best. Get tested ASAP."

I rushed through the tests, desperate for a match.

Half an hour later, I got the results. I stood there, stunned, mind blank... The marrow matched, but the DNA didn't.

My kid... isn't mine.

Post-surgery, I sat in the hospital corridor, chain-smoking, tears and, laughter mixing in a breakdown.

I ground out the last cig, my gaze hardening, clarity returning.

Those two, I poured my heart out to them, and this is their thanks? Alright, it's payback time, and I'm gonna take back every dime!

Starting with Lily.

Lily's nothing but a cunning opportunist, always playing her angles. If I push for divorce, she'll walk away with half my stash. Not happening.

This needs a strategic approach.

Back in the hospital room, there she was, doting on our son.

"I've got things to handle at work. Keep an eye on him," I told her and turned to leave.

Lily scoffed, “Can't you spare a moment? Your own son's laid up, and you're bailing?” She was playing the perfect mom, hinting that I was the deadbeat dad.

I snorted inside and kept walking without a backward glance.

Work was booming. Stepping into my office, my deputy, Jane Herty, hurried in, documents in hand, "Mr. Johnson, the shipment's been dispatched. It should dock tomorrow."

Jane flashed a grin, "It's the biggest deal since we started; our profits are going to soar."

I managed a weary smile. My dream of a perfect family was crumbling — what's the point in more cash?

After sending off Jane, I shut myself in and dialed Zack.

Zack Holt, my war buddy and biggest ally overseas, trusted more than anyone but my folks.

He'd built a successful career abroad after his retirement and knew all the right people. The deal Jane mentioned? That was his.

"Zack, do me a solid. Don't ask questions, just do what I say…"

Thirty minutes later, I hung up, looking out the window, my resolve steeled.

Lily, playing games with me? Fine, let the games begin.

That night, I returned to the hospital. It's hard not to feel for the kid; years of bonding do that.

But Lily, seeking comfort, had hired a nurse for him and took off.

Her maternal instincts? Disappointing, to say the least.

After a while with the kid, drained emotionally and physically, I headed home.

Lily had just showered; her damp hair and delicate features under the dim lights, wrapped in a silky nightgown, could've been breathtaking.

Before, I'd have been all over her. But now, after knowing she was with another guy just yesterday, I felt only revulsion.

"I'm wiped. Skipping the shower, crashing in the study," I said as I walked away.

Lily seemed relieved but followed, feigning concern, “I know you put in all your efforts for this family but don't overdo it. You need to relax. Leave some stuff to your team."

"You're the rock of this family, and if you fall apart, who do we lean on?"

I offered a half-hearted smile, "I get it. Rest up. Night." Inside, I was ice cold. She had me fooled with her soft touches for years.

But now, her true colors were crystal clear.

The next day, with Lily off at the hospital, I snuck a bug into a hidden corner of our bedroom before heading to the office.

As soon as I walked in, Jane was there, all worked up. "Mr. Johnson, we've got a serious problem."

I was prepared. "Calm down, let's hear it."

"Our latest shipment's been held up overseas—they're claiming it doesn't meet regulations. I checked everything myself, and there shouldn't be any issues. Mr. Johnson, what do we do now? We've been prepping this for three months, and there's no quick fix. If we don't sort this out, we're looking at triple the penalties." She was almost in tears.

I rubbed my forehead. "Exactly how much are we talking about in penalties?"

"Nearly twenty million. We've got less than five million in reserves…" Jane's voice trembled.

Holy shit!

I took a deep breath and made a call. "Liquidate our inventory, settle the debts, then file for bankruptcy."

"What?"

"You heard me. Sell everything, pay off the debts, and let's go bankrupt. Need me to repeat that?"

With the company teetering, chaos was brewing outside.

As expected, Lily had spies in the company. She rushed over as soon as she got wind of the trouble.

"Ryan, what's this I hear about us going under?" She barged into my office, ditching her usual warmth for confusion and accusation. "Wasn't the company on track? How are we bankrupt all of a sudden?"

I wasn't in the mood to explain. I nodded at Jane, who quickly briefed her on the grim situation.

After getting the lowdown, Lily exploded, "How can this be? I just bragged about a new bag I ordered last night, what will my friends think?"

"This is a nightmare…"

"Ryan, how could you let this happen?"

So the company is sinking, and she's worried about her bag? Had I been blind to who she really was?

Disgusted by her facade slipping, I dismissed her, "Enough. I've poured my heart into this company. Do you think I wanted this? Just go home, let me gather my thoughts."

Lily shot me a complex look and left.

Word of the bankruptcy spread fast in the industry. Calls came flooding in—some sympathetic, others demanding their dues… The true colors of people were showing.

Jane was swamped, but I sat there in an eerie calm.

Chaos on the surface, but I was in control.

That night, using the turmoil as cover, I didn't go home. As expected, Lily couldn't resist it but brought Alex home.

I parked below, connected my phone to the bug, and their voices filled the car.

"I'm so stressed. I thought if we got caught, I'd divorce him and cash in, but now he's bankrupted the company. I haven't even finished paying off that bag."

"Look, babe, that just proves you chose the right guy. Let's divorce him, leave him the kid, and start fresh."

"I can't just hand over my son!"

"Why not?"

"I went through labor for him, I can't just let go…"

"Fine, have it your way."

Anger bubbled inside me, but her words made me pause. So, the kid isn't Alex's either?

I chuckled to myself.

This is getting interesting.